Thu., 9:50am: Steubenville school reaches out in rape case

January 10, 2013

STEUBENVILLE -- School officials in the eastern Ohio city where a rape case involving high school football players has garnered national attention are reaching out to students and parents about the ordeal.

The Steubenville Board of Education released a statement Thursday saying officials are in the process of communicating with students and parents in the aftermath of two boys being charged with raping a 16-year-old girl in August. The students have denied the charges.

The statement says the district is encouraging other students with information to come forward. It also says security measures have been increased in the schools, and education programs expanded to raise further awareness of sexual harassment, bullying, date rape and other issues.

Publicity and social media have drawn widespread attention to the case.